There's only month to go until Festivali i Kenges, the popular Albanian festival through which the country's representative in the Eurovision Song Contest is selected, but these days everyone's attention is fixed on Kenga Magjike 2009.

Kënga Magjike is one of the biggest musical events in Albania and it attracts many famous Albanian artists from all over the world. In total, there were more then 500 songs submitted this year. From those only 57 songs were heard in advance by the public at home, and they were then narrowed down to 40 by televoting. These songs will compete in the semi-finals and only 20 songs will make it to the final.

Kënga Magjike will take place on 19th, 20th and the final on 21st November. The show will be aired by different broadcasters and there will be a webcast from tvklan at vitrinat.com

Popular Albanian Eurostars are taking part this year in Kënga Magjike. Olta Boka (Albania 2008) will sing a sentimental ballad in the first semi -final. The song is written by Adrian Hila, the man behind Zemren e lame peng with which Olta took part in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, Hear my plea, Albania's bid in 2007 and Tomorrow I go from 2005.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh1Aundm8sU

After a bad placing in the Eurovision Song Contest final this year Kejsi Tola disappeared from the Albanian media. Now, she is taking part in Kenga Magjike 2009. She will also sing a ballad but in the second semi final.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOBlYvVVNFA

Other big names competing are Rosela Gjylbegu (runner-up FiK 2006), Mira Konçi (winner FiK 1994, 2002 and winner of Kënga Magjike 2002) and Soni Malaj (FiK 2008).

So far the favourites to win Kënga Magjike 2009 are:

Silva Gunbardhi & Kelly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZW6RPFCmW4

Mira Konçi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZc9cli2RB0

Rosela Gjylbegu & Eliza Hoxha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXplwQNtBJ4

Very special thanks to Gafurr Sahiti for the submission of the article.